Claw hammer



P. J. LUTTRELL. CLAWHAMMEB. APPLlcAUoN FILED FEB.B,1921.

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Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENr oFFicE.

PETER J. LUTTRELL, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

CLAW] HAMMER.

Specification o1 Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1:2922.

Application filed February S, 1921. Serial No. 443,395.

which the following is a specicatien.

This invention relates to hammers and has vtor an object the provision of means adapted to be associated with a claw hammer for the removal of nails, the construction being such as to exert a pull directly in line with the' length of the nail so as to avoid bending the latter and to reduce the amount of pull necessary to etliect the removal, to a minimum.

Another object is the provision of an adjustable plunger` adapted to be mounted in the head of the hammer and capable ot being projected beyond the same, together with novel means for holding the plunger` in adjusted position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation or' a hammer with the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 4; is a detail perspective view of the plunger removed from the hammer.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, there is illustrated a hammer which includes a head 10 and a handle 11, the tormer being provided with the usual claw 12 having a transversely arranged opening 13. One end ot' the opening is provided with a seat 14.1 which is adapted to receive a toot 15 secured to one end 01E a plunger 16. The head 15 is preferably provided with a rubber cap 17 for engagement with the surface of the material from which the nail is to be removed, the purpose being to prevent marring the said surface during the operation of removing the nail. Extending' from the opening 13 is a tubular member 1S within which the plunger 16 is adapted to extend and which houses a spring 19 whose func-tion is to project the plunger beyond the hammer head.

In order to hold the plunger against the action of the spring 19, there is provided a bolt 20 which operates within a slot 21 also provided in the hammer head, this bolt eX- tending longitudinally7 of the head and at right angles to the plunger 16. Theplunger 16 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 22 in which the bolt 2O operates, the said groove acting as a guide for the bolt and preventing rotation oit the plunger during its longitudinal movement. In addition, the plunger provided with spaced sockets 23 which communicate with the groove 22 and which are adaptedto receive the bolt 20 so as to hold the plunger against movement. The bolt 20 is normally forced into engagement with the sockets 23 by means of a spring 24 and in order to hold the bolt against the action of this spring there is provided a latch 25. This latch is formed at one end with a right angled extension 26, which operates in a socket 27 formed in the bolt 20, the said socket being of a size to permit the right angled eX- tremity 26 of the latch to be rotated therein with the shank ot the latch as a center. This shank is mounted for rot-ation and has secured to its outer end a pivoted handle 28, which is adjustable upon its pivot and held in adjusted position by a spring 29.

When the parts are in the'position shownA inFigure 2, the bolt 20 will be held in engagement with one of' the sockets 23 so that the plunger is held against movement. Through the medium of the handle 28, the latch may be given a quarter turn so that rthe right angled extremity 26 will lie transversely of the hammer head and permit the bolt 2O to be actuated. By giving the latch an additional quarter turn the right angled extremity 26 will be in the position reverse from that shown in Figure 2, whereupon the bolt 2O will be held against engagement with the plunger 16.

The invention is susceptible of various j changes in its form, proportions and minor head and an operating handle pivotally mounted upon said head and connected te the holt,` whereby the latter may be restricted to release the plunger or engaged with the latter to hold the said plunger against t movement.

2. The combination With a handle-and a claw head secured thereto and provided With a socket aligned with said handle, of a Y l0 plunger `mevaloly mounted in the Socket and provided with a foot,` aepring for non mally forcing the foot beyond the head of the hammer, ineens located within the hard mer head for holding the plunger against movement and a latch also located Within4 the hammer head and engageable With the plunger holding means for loelingthe saine into or out of engagement therewith.

- In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

, PETER J. LUTTRELL. 

